| Frequently
Asked Questions
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED/RESTRICTIONS
What experience do I need?
Do you have any age, weight or other physical restrictions?
WHAT TO BRING/WHAT TO WEAR
Can I bring my dog? Or other pets?
Do you provide and/or require helmets?
What gear do you provide? What gear should I bring?
What kind of weather will I encounter on my trip?
How should I dress?
How much gear can you carry? Can you accommodate extra
gear?
What facilities will be available on the trip?
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Is this a good adventure for families?
What types of terrain will we ride on and/or camp
on?
What time of year do you offer your horseback riding
and overnight trips?
Can you accommodate one rider for day rides or overnight
trips? Can my friends and family count on a private trip?
Can you accommodate larger groups? What’s the
12-heartbeat rule?
What other attractions does the Cle Elum area offer?
Why should we choose Three Peaks Outfitters and Guide
Service? Tell me more about your guides.
How do I book a trip?
Three
Peaks Outfitters operates under a special use permit administered
by the Cle Elum Ranger District/Wenatchee National Forest and
is an equal opportunity provider, in compliance with the standard
set by the USDA, noted below.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED/RESTRICTIONS
What experience
do I need?
We welcome day riders and campers of all skill and experience levels.
We require only a desire to enjoy an outdoor adventure! An affinity
for horses is helpful.
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Do you have any age, weight or other physical restrictions?
Yes. Riders and campers must be at least 8 years old and weigh no
more than 240 lbs. You must also be able to mount and dismount the
horse with limited assistance and remain riding for the agreed-upon
time (lunch and rest breaks are provided).
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WHAT TO BRING/WHAT TO WEAR
Can I bring
my dog? Or other pets?
Sorry. No pets allowed.
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Do you provide and/or require helmets?
Helmets are strongly recommended but not required. If you choose
not to wear a helmet, you must sign a waiver. We have certified
riding
helmets available. However, for best fit, we encourage you to bring
your own if you have one.
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What gear do you provide? What gear should I bring?
On day rides, we provide the horses, saddle, etc. and a catered
lunch. You must bring your own personal gear, which should include
warm clothing (coat, gloves, sweater or long-sleeved shirt depending
on the season) and a broad-rimmed hat. We also recommend: sunglasses,
sunscreen, insect repellent, Chapstick, Kleenex, and a camera.
For pack trips and guided hunting trips, we provide
horses, food, cooking and serving dishes, camp chairs, and sleeping
tents. You are responsible for bringing clothes, personal items,
sleeping bags and (if desired) alcohol. A list of gear you should
bring is provided below:
Overnight Gear List
Equipment:
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Pillow (optional)
Flashlight with extra bulb
Personal hygiene necessities
Knife
Maps and Compass
Clothing:
Warm outer coat
Sweater (optional)
Riding boots
Camp shoes -- tennis shoes or moccasins
Hat-broad -- brimmed felt or straw
Blue jeans -- 2 pair
Cotton shirts -- 2 or 3 long-sleeved
Underwear
Long underwear (optional)
Warm up sweats -- for sleeping
Socks -- 3 pair, 1 pair wool
Gloves – light leather or cotton
Incidentals:
Insect repellant
Sunscreen
Camera
Sunglasses
Kleenex or tissue
Towel and washcloth
Matches in waterproof container
Watch
Chapstick – VERY IMPORTANT if you are not used to higher altitudes
For hunting or late fall trips, add or substitute
as you wish:
Rifle, ammunition, license
Binoculars
Hunting knife
Snow pacs
Hat with earflaps
Wool pants -- 1 pair
Wool shirts -- 2 or 3
Long underwear
Socks -- 3 pair wool, 3 pair light
Extra pair warm gloves or mittens
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What kind of weather will I encounter on my trip?
How should I dress?
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on the east side of the Cascades in
the central part of the state, is generally warmer and drier than
the rest of the state. In spring, temperatures range from 50–70°.
The sun shines most of the time, but spring breezes can be chilly.
Sometimes we encounter snow flurries as late as May.
In the summer, temperatures climb to the mid-80s,
but the mornings and evenings are still chilly!
Fall weather is highly variable. We can wake to frost
on the ground but be warmed by the sun to the upper 70s later in
the day. Or, we could have snow.
Regardless of the season, mountain conditions change
quickly, frequently and unexpectedly. It is always wise to dress
in layers, including a coat, hat and gloves.
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How much gear can you carry? Can you accommodate
extra gear?
For the health and safety of our stock and wranglers, we load only
up to 180 pounds of gear per mule or horse. For summer drop camps,
we plan
on one mule or horse per two campers (or 90 pounds of gear per
person). Additional gear may be accommodated with extra stock
upon request
(please make arrangements ahead of time to ensure that enough animals
are available). An additional fee of $75 dollars will be charged
for each extra mule or horse required. Weight allowances for pack
trips are just 35 pounds per person, since we provide the bulk
of
the gear.
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What facilities will be available on the trip?
We’ll be in the great outdoors with few of the comforts of
home. Your restrooms will be a “rustic latrine” –
a hole dug into the ground, perhaps by you! We provide a hand washing
station. Water can be warmed for personal use. There are no outlets,
so please leave your electric appliances at home.
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PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Is this a good adventure for
families?
Our outdoor adventures can be very memorable and fun get-aways for
families, assuming all members of the family are over the age of
8. You can teach your children some outdoor skills, give them an
appreciation for nature and create long-lasting memories for the
whole family!
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What types of terrain will we ride on and/or camp
on?
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness offers a wide variety of terrain choices,
from forests and meadows, to sloped valleys, alpine lakes and glacier
peaks. Trails vary in steepness. We can accommodate your interests
and comfort level.
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What time of year do you offer your horseback riding
and overnight trips?
Day rides start with the spring snow melt, usually in late March,
and conclude at the end of October. The season for overnight trips
also depends on snow melt, but it usually runs from late May to
October. Hunting trips are offered from early September through
November.
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Can you accommodate one rider for day rides or
overnight trips? Can my friends and family count on a private trip?
We may be able to accommodate single campers if a prescheduled group
welcomes an additional person joining the group. However, our intention
is to provide each group a special experience and requests for privacy
will be honored. We follow this general policy for day rides as
well, but small groups with similar interests and skills may occasionally
be combined.
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Can you accommodate larger groups? What’s
the 12-heartbeat rule?
Within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area, we adhere to the 12-heartbeat
rule, which strictly limits the number of riders and horses that
can travel in one area. Each person or animal counts as one heartbeat,
and each group is limited to a maximum of 12 heartbeats. A typical
party of four might include: two guides + four guests + six horses
= 12 heartbeats. Limiting our group size minimizes our impact on
the wilderness area and provides a quality outdoor experience for
all.
Note: This restriction
applies to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area only. We can accommodate
larger parties outside the wilderness area.
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What other attractions does the Cle Elum area offer?
Cle Elum, nearby Roslyn and Ellensberg offer a variety of attractions
throughout the year, including:
Cle Elum
Annual Pioneer Days Celebration and Parade (July 4)
Carpenter House Museum
Iron Horse State Park, John Wayne Pioneer Trail
Roslyn
Filming location of television show “Northern Exposure”
Roslyn Cemetery
Miner Days Festival (Labor Day weekend)
Manly Man Festival (dates vary)
Ellensburg (30 miles away)
Clymer Museum
Ellensburg Rodeo and Parade (Labor Day weekend)
Rafting (float
trips)
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Why should we choose Three Peaks Outfitters?
Tell me more about your guides.
At Three Peaks Outfitters, we are completely
devoted to providing you a customized, memorable experience, tailored
to your interests and skill levels. With expert guides, superb
riding
mounts and equipment, and an emphasis on safe riding and sound
environmental practices, we promise a relaxing, enjoyable and
fun experience.
Click here to learn more about our guides.
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How do I book a trip?
Call or e-mail to schedule your trip. Once we confirm our availability
for the dates you desire, send 30 percent down to save the date.
The balance is due before the trip begins. Book early for best
availability!
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its
programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age,
disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental
status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs,
reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived
from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all
programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication
of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact
USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTD). To file a complaint
of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence
Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or
(202)720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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